Brush mounting means

ABSTRACT

In a street sweeping brush, a plurality of sector shaped bristle mounting members are designed to be clamped on a mounting member for easy replacement.

I United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,758,908 Maltarp Sept. 18, 1973 BRUSH MOUNTING MEANS 2,917,767 12/1959 Lechene 15 1s0 3,370,312 2/1968 Tamn et al... lS/180 [751 lnvenm" 3,526,919 9/1970 Byers? 15/180 [73] Assignee: Canadian Wire Brush Co., Barrie, 3,678,530 7/1972 Horton et a1. 15/180 Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1972 Primary ExaminerPeter Feldman [21] APPL NM 224,493 Attorney-Weste1l & Hanley [52] US. Cl. 15/180 [51] Int. Cl A46b 13/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 15/180,179,181,

15/182 196, 197, 198, In 119?! W e ng 5195b? 12 212 10 96991 591199 9 bnstle mounting members are designed to be clamped [56] References Cited on a mounting member for easy replacement.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,853,729 9/1958 Linkm, 15/180 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIEmEm m SHEET 10F 2 FIG. 6

FIG

FIG. 5

PATENTEDSEP 1 sum sum 2 BF 2 FIG.1

BRUSH MOUNTING MEANS The invention relates to street-sweeping machines and to a concept whereby worn bristles may be easily and quickly replaced but without replacing the entire sweeper assembly and yet with a firm clamping of the bristle-holding members to the assembly.

In drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 shows the assembled bristle device;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one of the bristle-mounting members;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional along the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-section through the axis of rotation showing a portion of the mounting plate, the bristle-holding member and the clamping means;

FIG. 6 is the same cross-section showing the same elements as FIG. 5 but showing the clamping means op erating to clamp the member in position; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-section along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

In the drawings, Flg. 1 shows a mounting plate 10 which is designed for rotatable mounting on a street sweeping machine. The mounting procedure and the means for causing rotation of the entire bristle-holding assembly displayed in FIG. 1 is not shown since these are matters well known to those skilled in the art.

With the object of providing a convenient means for replacement of worn bristles, the mounting plate 10 and brisltle-holding members 12 are made separate so that for wear of the bristles each bristle-holding member may be quickly dismounted and replaced and in accord with the advantages of the invention this will be found to be a cheap and convenient operation.

The plate is basically circular in shape about the axis of rotation and this almost certainly will be the common shape although the essential feature of construction is the outwardly directed groove defined by inwardly converging surfaces 14 and 16 which are preferably but not necessarily (for a vertical axis of rotation) horizontal and downwardly outwardly sloping respectively.

The bristle-holding member 12 is curved to be complementary to the curvature of the mounting plate and is broken up into sectors for easy mounting since the bristle-holding sectors are provided with means for clamping them in the groove and are preferably provided with converging surfaces 18 and 20 forming a wedge (or a portion thereof) complementary to the groove defining surfaces 14 and 16 so that the bristle holding member may be firmly wedged in place by being drawn inwardly and upwardly relative to the groove defining surfaces until it is wedged into position with the groove-defining surfaces and the bristleholding member-converging surfaces pressing against one another.

The bristle-holding members 12 as shown, are shown divided up into sectors which each comprise one quarter of the circumference. The number of the sectors, i.e. the fraction of the circumference which they encompass, is a matter of choice, it being noted that the extent of the sector in the circular case may not be more than a semi-circle since it could not then be slid into position and, in the event that the shape were not circular, the curvature of the concave inward shape of the sector could not encompass more than for the same reason. The bristle-holding member is clamped in position as hereinafter described. The preferred embodiment shows sectors which each encompass one quarter of the circumference.

The bristle-holding member 12 comprises a plurality of downwardly and outwardly projecting (relative to the usual vertical rotation direction) conical members 23, spaced from each other and with the inner member 23 defining a lower free edge 25 for coupling the bristle-holding member to the plate.

At convenient locations around the circumference of the plate 10, slots 22 are provided, radially inwardly directed and located just inwardly of the root of the member forming the downwardly, outwardly directed wedge defining surface 16. Through each slot 22 projects a rod 24 extending down to the lower end of the outwardly sloping groove defining surface 16 the rod then bending radially outwardly relative to the axis of rotation of plate 10 to mount a rigidly attached, upwardly directed, hook member 26 which engages, inwardly of itself and outwardly of the sloping portion of the rod, the aforementioned free edge 25. It will be obvious that when the rod 24 is drawn upwardly and inwardly through slot 22 the hook 26 engages the free edge 25 to move the bristle-holding member thereby engaged upwardly and inwardly, so that its surfaces 18 and 20 of the bristle-holding member firmly engage the wedge-defining surfaces 14 and 16 so that the bristleholding member is then firmly wedged into position. As best shown in FIG. 7 each bristle-holding member forming a sector preferably ends in radial walls 30 spaced from the nearest wall 40, and a rod 24 is angularly aligned therewith relative to the centre of rotation of the brush-holder, and such rod is provided, on each side, with outwardly extending hooks 26 which are located and outwardly directed to respectively engage the free edges 25 of adjacent sectored members outwardly of the two sectored members adjacent radial walls.

The hooks 26 thus act, in addition to the wedging pressure which they exert to clamp a member 12 in position, to key the bristle-holding members against rotation relative to the mounting plate. This is in addition to the wedging which by itself would prevent rotation of member 12 relative to member 10 under normal stresses. Such will be the arrangement at the four junctions of the four members shown in FIG. 1 corresponding to the junctions of sector members.

Intermediate these rods 24 which correspond to the junction of sector portions are rods which are intermediate the extent of sector members. These rods are similarly shaped to rods 24 and may be provided with a hook 26 as described, or merely with the rod with the lower horizontal extent whose action would, if the hook is omitted, merely be to support, by means of the horizontal extent, the sectored member intermediate the hook-supported ends of the sector.

The method for clamping the bristle-holding sector members will now be described. Each of the rods 24 at its upper end is pivotally connected eccentrically to a cam 34 with the pivotal connection about an axis perpendicular to a plane passing through the centre of rotation and the cam shaped to slide radially on the upper surface of plate 10.

The cam 34 is pivotally connected to the rod 24 at pivot 38 and the member embodying cam 34 is provided with a slot 40 at its end remote from the attachment of pivot 38. The surfaceof cam 34 is so arranged relative to pivot 38 that (as shown in FIG. 5) with cam 34 so oriented that the slot 40 is radially outwardly located relative to pivot 38, rod 24 is caused to assume a downward and outward location but that (as shown in FIG. 6) with the cam 34 so oriented that the slot 40 is radially inwardly located relative to pivot 38, rod 24 is caused to assume an upward and inward location. In the downward location of the rod, as shown in FIG. 5, the spacing between the horizontal extent of the rod and the hook 26 thereon, is such that with the rods associated with the sector in this position, the member 12 may freely be moved radially into position between hooks 26 and surface 14. When the cam is then rotated toward the position of FIG. 6 the rods move upwardly inwardly to clamp the member 12 in position, as described.

Thus, when a new sectored bristle-holding member is installed, the locking member is as shown in FIG. 5. When it is desired to clamp the bristle-holding member in position, the cam 34 is rotated 180 inwardly toward the position shown in FIG. 6. However the design wil be such that, before this position is reached, contact of the complementary surfaces 14 and 16, on the one hand, and 18 and 20 on the other hand, will have taken place. When the hooks have been rotated inwardly a wire 40 is linked through the slot 40, as shown in FIG. 1 and tightened as shown, by twisting the wire as safety precaution against accidental opening of cam 34.

The method of mounting .the bristles in the bristleholding member 12 forms no part of the present invention. However as shown, it is preferred to provide the number of annular series of slots and dictated by the number of bristle rows desired. Thus a bristle row is defined by the space between adjacent cones 23 and within the row, slots for bristle bundles are defined as hereinafter defined. Each slot 37 which is downwardly and outwardly directed as defined by cones 23 is dfined by spaced radial dividing walls 40 and is provided with a central ridge 42 which does not come to the top the slot 37 but effectively divides the slot into two. Thus wire birstles gathered in a bundle of suitable size and bent in the center to form a bight and are placed in place with the bight resting over the central ridge 42 and as best show in FIG. 4.

' I claim:

1. For street sweeping applications, a mounting plate for rotatable mounting on a street-sweeping machine having a groove defined by converging surfaces extending peripherally about said plate and converging inward in cross section along a plane including the rotational axis location,'a plurality of bristle-mounting members including converging surfaces shaped to be substantially complementary to the converging surfaces of said groove, said converging surfaces forming an extent of the periphery of said groove;

said bristle-mounting members being dimensioned so that they may be wedged with a movement toward said rotation axis into a position where said bristlemounting member converging surfaces are pressing against said groove-defining converging surfaces; said bristle-mounting members being dimensioned so that a predetemmined number of such members may be combined to extend around said peripheral groove;

means for clamping said bristle-mounting members into position with said bristle-mounting member converging surfaces pressing against said groovedefining converging surfaces;

said clamping means comprising at least one rod corresponding to each bristle mounting member, said rod being mounted on said mounting plate to be slidable toward and away from said rotational axis, such rod having at its outer end means for coupling to a bristle-mounting member, said coupling means being designed and constructed so that movement of said rod toward said rotation axis draws the corresponding bristle mounting member into said wedged position, said rod adjacent its inner end being pivotally connected to a cam member, said cam member being designed to bear on a surface connected to said bristle mounting member, said cam being designed to move between a first posi' tion and a second position relative to said bristle mounting member while bearing on said surface and being designed in movement from said first to said second position to move said rod toward said rotation axis to draw said bristle mounted member into said wedged position;

said birstle-mounting members carrying bristles oriented and mounted for sweeping when said mounting members are so clamped and said mounting plate is mounted on a street-sweeping machine.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said members and said bristle-mounting body are designed and constructed so that bristle-mounting members may not move longitudinally along said groove, relative to said mounting plate.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said members and said bristle-mounting body are designed and constructed so that the defining surfaces of said groove and the converging surfaces on said bristle-holding member are each portions of surfaces of revolution.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said members and said bristle-mounting body are designed and constructed so that the defining surfaces of said groove and the converging surfaces on said bristle-holding member are each portions of surfaces of revolution.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said groove is formed by the combination, in the diverging direction, of an outwardly directed horizontal member and an outwardly directed downwardly sloping member.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bristleholding member includes a free edge directed in a direction within the angle of divergence of the converging complementary surfaces and means are provided on said mounting plate for engaging said edge and drawing said mounting member into said groove.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 including means for clamping bristle-mounting members to said plate by drawing said bristle-mounting members until said complementary surfaces are under pressure.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lamping means comprises members radially inwardly directed on said mounting plate and slidable relative thereto, at least one of said clamping means being connected to each of said bristle-holding members and for drawing said bristle-holding members into position on radial inward movement of said engaging means.

i i t t 

1. For street sweeping applications, a mounting plate for rotatable mounting on a street-sweeping machine having a groove defined by converging surfaces extending peripherally about said plate and converging inward in cross section along a plane including the rotational axis location, a plurality of bristlemounting members including converging surfaces shaped to be substantially complementary to the converging surfaces of said groove, said converging surfaces forming an extent of the periphery of said groove; said bristle-mounting members being dimensioned so that they may be wedged with a movement toward said rotation axis into a position where said bristle-mounting member converging surfaces are pressing against said groove-defining converging surfaces; said bristle-mounting members being dimensioned so that a predetemmined number of such members may be combined to extend around said peripheral groove; means for clamping said bristle-mounting members into position with said bristle-mounting member converging surfaces pressing against said groove-defining converging surfaces; said clamping means comprising at least one rod corresponding to each bristle mounting member, said rod being mounted on said mounting plate to be slidable toward and away from said rotational axis, such rod having at its outer end means for coupling to a bristle-mounting member, said coupling means being designed and constructed so that movement of said rod toward said rotation axis draws the corresponding bristle mounting member into said wedged position, said rod adjacent its inner end being pivotally connected to a cam member, said cam member being designed to bear on a surface connected to said bristle mounting member, said cam being designed to move between a first position and a second position relative to said bristle mounting member while bearing on said surface and being designed in movement from said first to said second position to move said rod toward said rotation axis to draw said bristle mounted member into said wedged position; said birstle-mounting members carrying bristles oriented and mounted for sweeping when said mounting members are so clamped and said mounting plate is mounted on a street-sweeping machine.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said members and said bristle-mounting body are designed and constructed so that bristle-mounting members may not move longitudinally along said groove, relative to said mounting plate.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said members and said bristle-mounting body are designed and constructed so that the defining surfaces of said groove and the converging surfaces on said bristle-holding member are each portions of surfaces of revolution.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said members and said bristle-mounting body are designed and constructed so that the defining surfaces of said groove and the converging surfaces on said bristle-holding member are each portions of surfaces of revolution.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said groove is formed by the combination, in the diverging direction, of an outwardly directed horizontal member and an outwardly directed downwardly sloping member.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bristle-holding member includes a free edge directed in a direction within the angle of divergence of the converging complementary surfaces and means are provided on said mounting plate for engaging said edge and drawing said mounting member into said groove.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 1 including means for clamping bristle-mounting members to said plate by drawing said bristle-mounting members until said complementary surfaces are under pressure.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lamping means comprises members radially inwardly directed on said mounting plate and slidable relative thereto, at least one of said clamping means being connected to each of said bristle-holding members and for drawing said bristle-holding members into position on radial inward movement of said engaging means. 